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How To Break 80 Newsletter

March 13, 2006

“The Web’s Most Popular Golf Improvement Newsletter”
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In this issue we’ll discuss…

1) Dealing with Downhill/Sidehill Lies
2) Hitting More Fairways
 
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1) Dealing with Downhill/Sidehill Lies
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The main concern with downhill/sidehill lies is keeping the ball from flying right, the result of a more upright swing, produced by the slope and your address position. The upright swing forces the club in a slightly out-to-in path through the hitting zone, sending the ball right. First off, let’s assume you are a right-handed golfer.

Here are the five things to consider that I recommend in my golf lessons.

• Put weight back on heels
• Aim left to allow for fade
• Maintain spine angle through shot
• Keep head at the same level
• Stay down through hitting zone

You need to bend forward from the waist far more than normal with this shot, causing you to fall forward. To balance yourself, stand a little closer to the ball, choke up on the club, and set your weight back on your heels. It’s vital that you maintain this balance throughout the shot. To get closer to the ball, simply squat down an inch or so by pretending you are sitting down.

It’s also vital that you maintain your spine angle and your head level throughout your backswing. These are the two most important factors in this shot. Concentrate on staying balanced at the top of the backswing.

Maintain a smooth rhythm in the downswing. Keep your left heel firmly planted through the downswing, counteracting the slope, and your chin up, allowing for your shoulder to turn.

Stay down through impact. Also, clear your left hip to allow for free arm swing as you release the clubhead down the target line.

I tell my students to aim left of the target line in case of a fade. I also tell students who hit a hook to practice hitting balls below their feet. It sets the swing on an upright plane and eliminates the excessive out-to-in swing path, which causes the hook.

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2) Hitting More Fairways
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Employing your natural shot shape, cutting back on your power, and maintaining balance and rhythm throughout your swing not only improves your ball striking, it also increases the number of fairways you hit and chops strokes off your golf handicap—all in the same process.

My golf lessons often focus on teaching students how to take advantage of their natural shot shape, like Colin Montgomerie does. Considered one of the most accurate drivers on tour, he combines his natural shot shape with a simple driving strategy for increased accuracy.

Montgomerie hits a slight left-to-right fade off the tee. To take advantage of his fade, he tees his ball up on the right-hand side of the tee box and aims down the left-hand side of the fairway. If he hits a slight fade, he ends up on the left side of the fairway. If he hits a pronounced fade, he ends up on the right side of the fairway but still in good position for the next shot.

Also, he tees the ball up a little lower than normal. That’s to promote his fade. If you want to encourage a fade, tee the ball lower than normal, choke down on the grip, and stand closer to the ball. If you want to encourage a draw, tee the ball higher than normal, hold the club toward the butt, and stand farther from the ball.

In addition, he swings only about 70 to 80 percent of his power. Taking a little something off promotes solid contact and provides distance. More importantly, it helps him retain control of his swing and maintain balance and rhythm—two keys to a consistent swing.

Whether your natural shot shape is a fade or a draw, learn to capitalize on it when hitting from the tee box, like Colin Montgomerie does. You’ll hit more fairways and have better approach shots to boot.

Here are five keys to hitting more fairways:

• Find the right shot shape
• Learn to play your shot shape
• Keep some power in reserve
• Maintain balance and control
• Practice to develop consistency

Practice these five things and you’ll be hitting more fairways in no time at all.

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If you want to truly discover the secrets of shooting like the Pros
and creating a more reliable and consistent swing, check out: http://www.HowToBreak80.com
 
Also, for past issues of this newsletter and some of my most
recent articles, visit our blog at www.HowToBreak80.com/blog

Until next time, Go Low!

Jack
 
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